Othello Context

Question 1

What was social structure based on?

Answer 1

The chain of being, if anyone tried to alter their position it led to Devine punishment. If someone lost reason they became animal

Question 2

Nature

Answer 2

2 aspects goodness and evil the same as human nature

Question 3

Appearances

Answer 3

External appearances was an indicator of what lay within

Question 4

Machiavelli

Answer 4

Self interest

Question 5

Hubris

Answer 5

Belief you are better than the gods- divine punishment

Question 6

Truth

Answer 6

Shames the devil. Lying is Imitating the devil

Question 7

Women

Answer 7

Possessions of men

Question 8

Who was the first black actor to play othello and why

Answer 8

Ira Aldridge 1833 because original actor collapsed

Question 9

Paul Robeson

Answer 9

Played othello 3 times bringing new Ora- 3rd time he played a character trying to overcome the struggle of race

Question 10

Willard white

Answer 10

First black actor to play othello in America

Question 11

Who was associated with witchcraft and black magic

Answer 11

Black people

Question 12

What was the original title of the play?

Answer 12

“The tragedy If othello the moor is Venice”

Oxymoron- moor couldn’t be Venetian- conflict of othello

Question 13

Moor

Answer 13

Barbary coast- North African descent or Muslim

Question 14

The Turkish threat

Answer 14

Christianity threatened by Islam the ottoman Turks launched powerful operations against Christians from the 15th century

The Turkish invasion of 1570-71 when othello is set gave ottoman control of Cyprus

Conquered all non European areas

Question 15

The siege of Famagusta 1570-71

Answer 15

The city surrendered to Turks but agreement broken by Turkish commander who tortured and killed Venetian commander despite his surrender. (Mirrors Iago to othello)

Question 16

Who was the religious schism between?

Answer 16

Catholic and Protestant- othello is divided between religion

Question 17

Theme of micro and macro environments

Answer 17

London divides into city of London and Westminster. London run by Protestant puritans

Question 18

Older characters in Shakespeare’s latter tragedies

Answer 18

Older characters descent into madness as in king Lear. Tests to see which daughter he should transfer power too. Also a transfer of power between othello and Iago when he descends into madness

Question 19

Not the usual pattern or structure of order disorder order

Answer 19

Begin in medias res

Question 20

Othello is overthrown literally and metaphorically

Answer 20

Under both monarchs Elizabeth and James there were plots to overthrow them

Question 21

When was othello wrote

Answer 21

1601-1604

Question 22

Which monarch made himself head of church so he could divorce his wife

Answer 22

Henry 8th- creates schism

Question 23

Venice’s political structure

Answer 23

Independent state, senate, strong exports and imports.

Not necessarily less chaotic- produced iago- appearances vs reality

Question 24

What was the difference in the folio edition of the play?

Answer 24

“Base Indian” othello compares himself with is printed as “base ludean” or “judean” could refer to the biblical betrayal of Jesus by Judas iscariot and furthers the analogy between Desdemona and Christ

Question 25

What happed when Laurence Oliver played iago in 1938?

Answer 25

He kissed othello on the lips at the end of Act 3 scene 3

Question 26

What happed in Oliver Parker’s 1995 film with Cassio?

Answer 26

He forgets Biancas name